Format: ORAL

lvaro J. Prez1, Edison Rea1,2, Kevin S. Burgess3, Daniela Cevallos4, Jos Len5 J. Antonio Vzquez-Garca6

1 Herbario QCA, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador. 2 Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. 3 Department of Biology, Columbus State University, University System of Georgia, Columbus, USA. 4 Universidad de las Américas, Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Quito, Ecuador. 5 Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco, Quito, Ecuador 6 Instituto de Botánica (Herbario IBUG), Universidad de Guadalajara, México

Magnolia diversity in Ecuador is high, actually 24 species are recorded, and 17 are endemic. The conservation status of these species is worrying, mainly because the number of adult-reproductive individuals is low, and their threats are latent. Currently, 80% of the species are severely threatened; six are assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) and 11 are Endangered (EN). There is an urgent need to start with in-situ and ex-situ conservation plans. Some actions have been created; for example, Jocotoco Foundation is monitoring fruits to obtain seeds for propagation in nurseries for M. buenaventurensis, M. canandeana, and M. dixonii. Around 1,500 seedlings are growing and being used in restoration programs in their habitats.